Fabio Borini announces retirement after years in the Premier League

Fabio Borini, 35, announced via a social media post that he is ending his career as a striker. The former forward, who played among others for Chelsea and Liverpool, thanks the fans and calls the moment an emotional farewell to football.

Early steps in England

Borini left Bologna in 2007 at the age of sixteen to join Chelsea. He made eight appearances for The Blues, after which he was loaned temporarily to Swansea City. The young Italian found the move to the Premier League too early.

After his first English experience he returned to Italy, where he played for Parma and later AS Roma. Liverpool then gave him a second chance in England, where he delivered three goals and three assists in 38 matches. Despite the limited impact he remained a regular name in the Premier League.

Last years and farewell

A transfer to Sunderland gave him 93 appearances, the highest number for a single club in his career. In 2018 he signed with AC Milan, where he recorded 75 matches, eight goals and six assists, but never remained completely undisputed. Afterwards he played for Hellas Verona, Fatih Karagümrük, Sampdoria and Salford City. In 2012 he earned one cap for Italy, shortly after his move from Parma to Roma.

In his Instagram post Borini wrote: “Thank you Chelsea. I was 16 years old… THANK YOU, FOOTBALL”. He described the journey as a flight full of tears, dreams and uncertainty, and emphasized that he will now continue to believe without a ball at his feet.

Borini concludes that the passion that has driven him throughout his career will also remain now, “the man I am today will continue to believe in the future”. With that thought he closes a chapter and opens a new, unknown chapter outside the game.